Skylanders Giantshttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/default.aspxen-USTelligent Community 1.5.134.12297 (Build: 5.5.134.12297)Wiki: Skylanders Giants Guideshttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/w/guides/default.aspxSun, 29 Sep 2013 21:25:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:1831AnonymousGuides for Skylanders GiantsBlog Post: A Small Step For Giantshttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/b/xbox360/archive/2012/10/18/a-small-step-for-giants.aspxThu, 18 Oct 2012 16:31:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2299578Andrew Reiner<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/activision/skylanders/skylandersgiants/review/skylandersgiants7.jpg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>When an Activision game is successful, a sequel is likely to follow in the next year. Activision transformed Call of Duty into a multimillion selling annual event, but exploited the Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk series until they reached bargain bin status. Skylanders appears to be the publisher&rsquo;s next perennial cash cow.[Excerpt]</p> <p>Hitting store shelves just a year after the release of Skylanders: Spyro&rsquo;s Adventure, Skylanders Giants follows its predecessor&rsquo;s blueprint. As such, the Skylands are once again filled with block-moving puzzles, collectible hats, pushable turtles, breakable crates filled with gems, an annoying green creature that lives inside of locks, doors requiring multiple keys, character tokens that unlock videos of purchasable figurines, element-specific secret zones, and boss fights against shadow versions of many of the popular Skylanders characters. Since Spyro&rsquo;s Adventure covered the gamut of standard world types &ndash; be it fire, snow, or haunted village &ndash; most of Giants&rsquo; level designs retread these themes. It&rsquo;s the same song and dance.</p> <p>And that&rsquo;s okay. If this were the fourth or fifth entry in the series, its charm may have worn off, but I had a blast playing this game even if it is painfully familiar most of the time.</p> <p>The biggest difference between the two entries is the addition of new Giant characters. These lumbering titans stand in at roughly twice the height of standard Skylanders, and can be summoned to lift boulders, smash through weak floorboards, run through walls, and pull gigantic chains. On the battlefield, they punch harder and move a little slower, but fit right in with the other Skylanders&rsquo; assortment of short-and long-range attack strategies.</p> <p>When it comes to world exploration, the Giants are a little too slow, and are tight squeezes on narrow paths. As I looked for secrets, I would switch these sloths out for the faster dragon characters, but used them as much as I could in large-scale conflicts or against approaching swarms. The Giants are particularly useful in the new Arena challenges, which pit one Skylander against numerous waves of foes.</p> <p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/activision/skylanders/skylandersgiants/review/skylandersgiants4.jpg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>Think of the Giants as a ninth class, joining the likes of Earth, Fire, and Undead. Although each Giant is aligned to one of those specific traits, only the fact that they are Giants matters in determining which areas they can enter. You won&rsquo;t need a Water Giant or a Tech Giant at any specific point; one Giant (like Tree Rex, who is packaged with the game) is enough to uncover all of the hidden areas.</p> <p>All 32 previously released Skylanders figurines work with this sequel, and can attain five additional levels to reach the new cap of 15. These levels pass slowly, allowing players to keep their favorite characters in play for a majority of the time. New difficulty settings up the challenge for seasoned players, but even Hard is a little easy. You unlock the most difficult setting, Nightmare, after completing the game.</p> <p>Two unexpected joys came from Giants. One: The story. I didn&rsquo;t much care for the cinematics in Spyro&rsquo;s Adventure, but laughed frequently at the nicely penned humor in Giants. Most of the jokes are tied to Lord Kaos, his bid for power, and his loveable butler Glumshanks. My second unexpected joy was a new collectible card game. In most of the levels, you obtain new cards by purchasing them from vendors or beating rival card players in matches. I always like it when games put a collectible item like these cards to good use.</p> <p>[View:1907874869001]</p> <p>Although Skylanders characters are rarely asked to leave their feet, these games remind me of the great Insomniac Games and Naughty Dog platformers from the PlayStation 1 and 2 eras. I wouldn&rsquo;t necessarily categorize them as collect-a-thons, but the hunt for hidden loot is one of this series&rsquo; strongest elements, not to mention the thrill of racing through levels to hit a par time. Although Skylanders&rsquo; gameplay more closely matches the hack n&rsquo; slash genre, the spirit of the long-lost platformer is alive and well here.</p> <p>Pending a retail disaster this year, I suspect another Skylanders sequel is already in development and slated for release next holiday. Giants makes a good case for the fun and collectibility of this series, but also raises the warning flag for franchise fatigue.</p>File: skylandersgiants7.jpghttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/m/skylanders_giants_media/2299565.aspxTue, 16 Oct 2012 17:08:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2299565Andrew ReinerSkylanders Giants Review ScreensFile: skylandersgiants6.jpghttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/m/skylanders_giants_media/2299564.aspxTue, 16 Oct 2012 17:08:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2299564Andrew ReinerSkylanders Giants Review ScreensFile: skylandersgiants5.jpghttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/m/skylanders_giants_media/2299563.aspxTue, 16 Oct 2012 17:08:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2299563Andrew ReinerSkylanders Giants Review ScreensFile: skylandersgiants4.jpghttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/m/skylanders_giants_media/2299562.aspxTue, 16 Oct 2012 17:08:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2299562Andrew ReinerSkylanders Giants Review ScreensFile: skylandersgiants3.jpghttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/m/skylanders_giants_media/2299561.aspxTue, 16 Oct 2012 17:08:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2299561Andrew ReinerSkylanders Giants Review ScreensFile: skylandersgiants2.jpghttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/m/skylanders_giants_media/2299560.aspxTue, 16 Oct 2012 17:08:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2299560Andrew ReinerSkylanders Giants Review ScreensFile: skylandersgiants1.jpghttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/m/skylanders_giants_media/2299559.aspxTue, 16 Oct 2012 17:08:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2299559Andrew ReinerSkylanders Giants Review ScreensBlog Post: Skylanders Giants Dated, New Character Unveiledhttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/b/ps3/archive/2012/07/26/skylanders-giants-dated-new-character-unveiled.aspxThu, 26 Jul 2012 14:51:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2085119Jeff Cork<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/activision/skylanders/skylandersgiants/skylanders0726-610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p> <p>Skylanders Giants is coming this October, and Activision has released a clip featuring a new character. Swarm, one of the new giants, is an anthropomorphized wasp. His interests include pushing blocks, hurling boulders, and picking on people much smaller than he is.[Excerpt]</p> <p>OK, maybe Swarm is actually a bee. Or a yellowjacket. How should I know? Do I look like some kind of entomologist?&nbsp;</p> <p>[view:1755897563001]</p> <p>For more information on the game, check out <a title="our interview" href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/b/xbox360/archive/2012/06/04/exclusive-first-look-at-a-new-giant.aspx">our interview</a> with producer Alex Ness. He has some very interesting ideas about dinosaurs.</p> <p>Skylanders Giants is coming out October 21 on the Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, Wii, and 3DS. </p> <p>[via <a target="_blank" title="CVG" href="http://www.computerandvideogames.com/360052/skylanders-giants-release-date-october-19/">CVG</a>]</p>Blog Post: Skylanders Giants Dated, New Character Unveiledhttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/b/xbox360/archive/2012/07/26/skylanders-giants-dated-new-character-unveiled.aspxThu, 26 Jul 2012 14:51:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:2085118Jeff Cork<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/activision/skylanders/skylandersgiants/skylanders0726-610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p> <p>Skylanders Giants is coming this October, and Activision has released a clip featuring a new character. Swarm, one of the new giants, is an anthropomorphized wasp. His interests include pushing blocks, hurling boulders, and picking on people much smaller than he is.[Excerpt]</p> <p>OK, maybe Swarm is actually a bee. Or a yellowjacket. How should I know? Do I look like some kind of entomologist?&nbsp;</p> <p>[view:1755897563001]</p> <p>For more information on the game, check out <a title="our interview" href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/b/xbox360/archive/2012/06/04/exclusive-first-look-at-a-new-giant.aspx">our interview</a> with producer Alex Ness. He has some very interesting ideas about dinosaurs.</p> <p>Skylanders Giants is coming out October 21 on the Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, Wii, and 3DS. </p> <p>[via <a target="_blank" title="CVG" href="http://www.computerandvideogames.com/360052/skylanders-giants-release-date-october-19/">CVG</a>]</p>Blog Post: Want To See A Couple Of Giant Skylanders? You're In Luckhttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/b/ps3/archive/2012/06/14/want-to-see-a-giant-skylander-you-39-re-in-luck.aspxThu, 14 Jun 2012 15:55:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:1980481Jeff Cork<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/activision/skylanders/skylandersgiants/skylanders0606-610a.jpg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>Even though it may not have attracted as much attention as Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Activision showed off Skylanders Giants at E3. We snapped pics of two of the new characters, and you can see the for yourself.[Excerpt]</p> <p>Skylanders has been a <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/05/09/skylanders-toy-sales-exceed-30-million.aspx" title="huge sales success">huge sales success</a> for Activision, so the fact that developer Toys for Bob has been working on a follow-up should come as no surprise. In Skylanders Giants, players can control a batch of larger heroes (after buying the figurines, of course). We interviewed the game&#39;s producer about the sequel not too long ago, and you can check it out <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/b/xbox360/archive/2012/06/04/exclusive-first-look-at-a-new-giant.aspx" title="here">here</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/activision/skylanders/skylandersgiants/skylanders0606-610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>First, take a gander at Crusher. He wields an appropriately large hammer, and he&#39;s able to freeze enemies with his laser vision. Don&#39;t ask how that works.</p> <p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/activision/skylanders/skylandersgiants/shroomboom610resized.jpeg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>Then we have Shroomboom. He comes equipped with a slingshot that shoots mushrooms. On the defensive side, he can block attacks with a special shroom shield. Again, don&#39;t ask how that works.</p> <p>Look for Skylanders Giants this fall. In the meantime, look at the trailer below.</p> <p>[view:1677177740001]</p> Blog Post: Want To See A Couple Of New Skylanders? You're In Luckhttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/b/xbox360/archive/2012/06/14/want-to-see-a-giant-skylander-you-39-re-in-luck.aspxThu, 14 Jun 2012 15:55:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:1980480Jeff Cork<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/activision/skylanders/skylandersgiants/skylanders0606-610a.jpg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>Even though it may not have attracted as much attention as Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Activision showed off Skylanders Giants at E3. We snapped pics of two of the new characters, and you can see the for yourself.[Excerpt]</p> <p>Skylanders has been a <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/05/09/skylanders-toy-sales-exceed-30-million.aspx" title="huge sales success">huge sales success</a> for Activision, so the fact that developer Toys for Bob has been working on a follow-up should come as no surprise. In Skylanders Giants, players can control a batch of larger heroes (after buying the figurines, of course). We interviewed the game&#39;s producer about the sequel not too long ago, and you can check it out <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/b/xbox360/archive/2012/06/04/exclusive-first-look-at-a-new-giant.aspx" title="here">here</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/activision/skylanders/skylandersgiants/skylanders0606-610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>First, take a gander at Crusher. He wields an appropriately large hammer, and he&#39;s able to freeze enemies with his laser vision. Don&#39;t ask how that works.</p> <p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/activision/skylanders/skylandersgiants/shroomboom610resized.jpeg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p>Then we have Shroomboom. He comes equipped with a slingshot that shoots mushrooms. On the defensive side, he can block attacks with a special shroom shield. Again, don&#39;t ask how that works.</p> <p>Look for Skylanders Giants this fall. In the meantime, look at the new trailer below. Toward the end, you&#39;ll get a look at all 40 new figures!</p> <p>[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUMFF7ekbvw:610:343]</p> Blog Post: What Skylanders: Giants Offers Returning Playershttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/b/ps3/archive/2012/06/06/what-skylanders-giants-offers-returning-players.aspxThu, 07 Jun 2012 00:19:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:1979162Jeff Marchiafava<p><img style="max-width:610px;" border="0" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/activision2012/skylanders/giants/interview/skylandersgiante3610jpg.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>Skylanders: Spyro&#39;s Adventure came out less than a year ago, so we can understand if you&#39;re a bit skeptical about what the sequel will entail. Our E3 demo of Skylanders: Giants outlined just what the new title is bringing to the series.[Excerpt]</p> <p><strong>Greater Difficulty:</strong><br />Toys For Bob said that one of the most common requests from Skylanders players is a greater challenge, and as such Skylanders: Giants will feature different difficulty levels to accommodate the casual and hardcore alike.</p> <p><strong>More Secrets and Collectibles:</strong><br />Collecting is a core concept of the Skylanders series, and Toys For Bob is pushing our completionist tendencies to the limit with more collectible items and secret areas. The demo contained a secret cave that required players to push down a block from later in the level in order to gain access to it.</p> <p><strong>Better Elemental Zones:</strong><br />Spyro&#39;s Adventure contained elemental zones, areas of levels that were restricted to Skylanders figures of the same element type. This time around elemental zones are even bigger, and feature more distinct art styles. An undead zone in the demo was clad in darkness and contained a gate made of out bones to keep out the living.</p> <p><strong>Increased Level Cap:</strong><br />Skylanders: Giants will increase the level cap from 10 to 15, ensuring all of your old figurines will get some use in the new game. Then again...</p> <p><strong>Lots More Figurines:</strong><br />Skylanders: Giants will feature plenty of new characters to collect. There will be eight Giant figurines (which are bigger than normal characters and can use in-game objects that are too large for smaller characters), eight Light Core characters (whose figurines contain glowing parts), and 24 Series 2 figures (which feature new poses and upgrades). Additionally, there will be eight brand new characters, so you better start saving up your money.</p> <p><i>Skylanders: Giants is currently scheduled for release this October.</i></p> Blog Post: What Skylanders: Giants Offers Returning Playershttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/b/xbox360/archive/2012/06/06/what-skylanders-giants-offers-returning-players.aspxThu, 07 Jun 2012 00:19:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:1979161Jeff Marchiafava<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/imagefeed/featured/activision2012/skylanders/giants/interview/skylandersgiante3610jpg.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p> <p>Skylanders: Spyro&#39;s Adventure came out less than a year ago, so we can understand if you&#39;re a bit skeptical about what the sequel will entail. Our E3 demo of Skylanders: Giants outlined just what the new title is bringing to the series.[Excerpt]</p> <p><strong>Greater Difficulty:</strong><br />Toys For Bob said that one of the most common requests from Skylanders players is a greater challenge, and as such Skylanders: Giants will feature different difficulty levels to accommodate the casual and hardcore alike.</p> <p><strong>More Secrets and Collectibles:</strong><br />Collecting is a core concept of the Skylanders series, and Toys For Bob is pushing our completionist tendencies to the limit with more collectible items and secret areas. The demo contained a secret cave that required players to push down a block from later in the level in order to gain access to it.</p> <p><strong>Better Elemental Zones:</strong><br />Spyro&#39;s Adventure contained elemental zones, areas of levels that were restricted to Skylanders figures of the same element type. This time around elemental zones are even bigger, and feature more distinct art styles. An undead zone in the demo was clad in darkness and contained a gate made of out bones to keep out the living.</p> <p><strong>Increased Level Cap:</strong><br />Skylanders: Giants will increase the level cap from 10 to 15, ensuring all of your old figurines will get some use in the new game. Then again...</p> <p><strong>Lots More Figurines:</strong><br />Skylanders: Giants will feature plenty of new characters to collect. There will be eight Giant figurines (which are bigger than normal characters and can use in-game objects that are too large for smaller characters), eight Light Core characters (whose figurines contain glowing parts), and 24 Series 2 figures (which feature new poses and upgrades). Additionally, there will be eight brand new characters, so you better start saving up your money.</p> <p><i>Skylanders: Giants is currently scheduled for release this October.</i></p>File: Skylanders Giants Screenshttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/m/skylanders_giants_media/1977946.aspxWed, 06 Jun 2012 19:17:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:1977946Jeff CorkLadies and gentlemen, Skylanders Giants.File: Skylanders Giants Screenshttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/m/skylanders_giants_media/1977945.aspxWed, 06 Jun 2012 19:17:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:1977945Jeff CorkLadies and gentlemen, Skylanders Giants.File: Skylanders Giants Screenshttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/m/skylanders_giants_media/1977944.aspxWed, 06 Jun 2012 19:17:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:1977944Jeff CorkLadies and gentlemen, Skylanders Giants.File: Skylanders Giants Screenshttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/m/skylanders_giants_media/1977943.aspxWed, 06 Jun 2012 19:17:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:1977943Jeff CorkLadies and gentlemen, Skylanders Giants.File: Skylanders Giants Screenshttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/skylanders_giants/m/skylanders_giants_media/1977942.aspxWed, 06 Jun 2012 19:17:00 GMT79ef0c18-1c65-4225-984f-fdaeab0f0862:1977942Jeff CorkLadies and gentlemen, Skylanders Giants.